Clarke CL300M Variable Speed Metal Lathe worth it ?

[angellonewolf]

got a chance to look at this but it seams small and not that cheap at £300

is it possable to use it and what size up to

and price seams high but they fetch money on the bay of thives

 

[cumbriasteve]

I can remember a couple of posts from the past that were not very positive about the build quality of the Clarke lathes.

They fetch money because they look nice and have good write ups on the MM site.

 

[angellonewolf]

was thinking that the vid of it looks good but being 300mm center seams small prob the stuff i might do is making spacers, trimming down stuff one of the things is making sleaves for stuff thats warn out so could use it for that

 

[Tinbasherdan]

Neighbour has a Clarke lathe and manages to turn out some good jobs on it, I however cannot get used to it, it feels like it was made in a soviet tractor factory by someone with only a very basic idea of metal work. I'd personally save my money and get an ml7

 

[angellonewolf]

I'd personally save my money and get an ml7

ah just had a look on ebay yes seen there good but will beby otherhalf if i said i was going for that £600/1000 and the floor print is massive

 

[Wallace]

How much space do you have for a lathe?

 

[cumbriasteve]

A Myford Ml10 is smaller that a Ml7 (strange model numbering), fits into a 3ft space and can of course fit onto most workbenches easily, they are more capable than the Clarke and never lose their value.

 

[angellonewolf]

but its the money compaired to how much it will be used and if i buy one then it will be all the tooling

must be strong to much looking at the fourms making me want one

no honestly could see a use for it and prob would use it every few weeks but space and lay out of cash against time used

the clark one is nearby and im thinking i could get it alot cheaper than listed for as theres not meny people looking to use this stuff if they want one like most of you lot want quality im sure the quality will be wasted on me

 

[cumbriasteve]

must be strong to much looking at the fourms making me want one

Now you know why half of us have equipment we never realised we needed

 

[addjunkie]

Buy cheap and buy twice springs to mind with clarke lathes.....

 

[gaz1]

for what you buy once in a capable machine will be worth it in the long run more so if it keeps its value

you can buy older machines but have trouble getting there parts for them consider that before you buy

myfords are pricey however parts are easy obtainable compared to other machines out there so be aware what you buy

 

[brightspark]

Buy cheap and buy twice springs to mind with clarke lathes.....

even the name makes me cringe but some things u have to buy as the price dictates

 

[angellonewolf]

has any one got a clark

review on them please guys

im putting my self off buying it but cant pay myford prices so might have to do with out

its more of play toy yes some thing i could do with but not going to make me money to off set the cost

 

[Tinbasherdan]

has any one got a clark

review on them please guys

im putting my self off buying it but cant pay myford prices so might have to do with out

its more of play toy yes some thing i could do with but not going to make me money to off set the cost

@roofman has one as a back up for the back up for the back up, or at least one very similar buried at the back of the bench

 

[gaz1]

heres one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-s...214591?hash=item2f09ffafff:g:Fn4AAOSwvYZZnI5P

 

[GW8IZR]

I had one for a while, I prefer my current lathes (Boxford and a Colchester) however I could turn out good stuff on the Clarke with care.

You won't cut blue swarfe off a lump of steel but for home / hobby use they are OK.

I'd rather have my old 'proper' lathes but I'd take a Clarke over no lathe at all.

 

[angellonewolf]

I'd rather have my old 'proper' lathes but I'd take a Clarke over no lathe at all.

good to know better than nothing might have a bash watch this space

 

[dobbslc]

Take some mild steel stock with you and try it. If it works it might be worth an offer....

 

[Toleman]

Right would everybody stop recommending and buying up all the ml 10's. Thank you.

 

[angellonewolf]

^^^^^ been looking for a while ?